“The new center will enhance the overall experience for both current and prospective students,” said UAB Vice Provost for Administration and Quality Improvement Harlan Sands. “This project exemplifies UAB’s commitment to our students, and I am pleased that the Board of Trustees appreciates the benefit of offering such a center for our students.”

The new center will replace the Hill University Center (HUC) at the corner of University Boulevard and 14th Street and is expected to be complete for the Fall 2015 semester. Demolition of the HUC, which opened in 1983, is expected to begin in August 2013.

UAB staff has begun preparations to move offices, the UAB Bookstore and the Blazer Café out of the HUC ahead of demolition. All staff and offices are scheduled to be out of the building by the end of June.

“Excitement for the construction of a new student center is building,” said Carolyn Farley, director of Academic and Student Services. “What we’re going to get is going to create a much better student experience.”

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held 10 a.m. for a new building to house the Collat School of Business and Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and become the cornerstone for the city's new innovation and entrepreneurship district.

Beginning Oct. 10, the pedestrian bridge connecting the Lister Hill Library to the School of Nursing will be closed due to construction on the school. The bridge and SON plaza will remain closed until the project is completed in June 2018. Pedestrians are encouraged to use the crosswalks at 16th or 18th streets as alternate routes.

UAB Parking & Transportation Services is hosting several public events to hear opinions about riding, driving, pedaling and parking on campus and to listen to ideas for improvement. These are part of a campuswide parking and transportation study UAB will be conducting through summer.

The UA System Board of Trustees approved the construction of BBVA Compass Field for UAB Men’s and Women’s Soccer. Located south of University Boulevard just east of I-65, the field — to be ready by fall 2015 — will be the first impression visitors encounter as they enter campus from I-65.

Phase I planning will proceed for the new Collat School of Business building, which also will house the B.L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It will provide multidimensional learning and collaborative spaces, plus labs for behavioral research and sales presentations, study rooms and more.

Alabama Power's work to improve power reliability for the campus, which has closed one lane between 14th Street and 15th Street on University Boulevard, will be finished before classes begin in the fall.